Mitt Romney

This afternoon, President Obama and Governor Romney visited for an hour over lunch in the Private Dining Room adjacent to the Oval Office. Governor Romney congratulated the President for the success of his campaign and wished him well over the coming four years. The focus of their discussion was on America's leadership in the world and the importance of maintaining that leadership position in the future. They pledged to stay in touch, particularly if opportunities to work together on shared interests arise in the future. Their lunch menu included white turkey chili and Southwestern grilled chicken salad.

President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney talk in the Oval Office following their lunch, Nov. 29, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

I have just called President Obama to congratulate him on his victory. His supporters and his campaign also deserve congratulations. I wish all of them well, but particularly the president, the first lady and their daughters.

This is a time of great challenges for America, and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation. (Applause)

I want to thank Paul Ryan for all that he has done for our campaign and for our country. (Applause) Besides my wife, Ann, Paul is the best choice I've ever made. (Applause) And I trust that his intellect and his hard work and his commitment to principle will continue to contribute to the good of our nation.

I also want to thank Ann, the love of my life. (Applause) She would have been a wonderful first lady. She’s, she has been that and more to me and to our family and to the many people that she has touched with her compassion and her care.

I thank my sons for their tireless work on behalf of the campaign, and thank their wives and children for taking up the slack as their husbands and dads have spent so many weeks away from home. (Applause)

I want to thank Matt Rhoades and the dedicated campaign team he led. (Applause) They have made an extraordinary effort not just for me, but also for the country that we love.

And to you here tonight, and to the team across the country, the volunteers, the fundraisers, the donors, the surrogates. I don’t believe that there’s ever been an effort in our party that can compare with what you have done over these past years. Thank you so very much. (Applause)

Thanks for all the hours of work, for the calls, for the speeches and appearances, for the resources and for the prayers. You gave deeply from yourselves and performed magnificently. And you inspired us and you humbled us. You've been the very best we could have imagined.

The nation, as you know, is at a critical point. At a time like this, we can’t risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people’s work. And we citizens also have to rise to the occasion.

We look to our teachers and professors, we count on you not just to teach, but to inspire our children with a passion for learning and discovery. We look to our pastors and priests and rabbis and counselors of all kinds to testify of the enduring principles upon which our society is built: honesty, charity, integrity and family. We look to our parents, for in the final analysis everything depends on the success of our homes. We look to job creators of all kinds. We’re counting on you to invest, to hire, to step forward. And we look to Democrats and Republicans in government at all levels to put the people before the politics.

I believe in America. I believe in the people of America. (Applause) And I ran for office because I'm concerned about America. This election is over, but our principles endure. I believe that the principles upon which this nation was founded are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy and to renewed greatness.

Like so many of you, Paul and I have left everything on the field. We have given our all to this campaign. (Applause)

I so wish — I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction, but the nation chose another leader. And so Ann and I join with you to earnestly pray for him and for this great nation.

Thank you, and God bless America. You guys are the best. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thanks, guys. (Applause)

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President released a new radio ad titled “Focus.” Ohio voters now have a choice to make. Mitt Romney has the vision and leadership to solve America’s challenges. As Governor of Massachusetts, he worked with Republicans and Democrats to eliminate a $3 billion deficit and lower the unemployment rate. That’s the type of leader Ohioans need in Washington.

AD FACTS: Script For “Focus”:

SENATOR ROB PORTMAN: “Hi, this is US Senator Rob Portman. We’re down to the final days of this campaign, and we’ve got a choice to make. I’m supporting Mitt Romney, because he’s got the vision, the leadership, and a practical economic plan to solve the many challenges we face. With Mitt Romney as our president, we’ll work together for North American energy independence, job creation, and economic growth here in Ohio.”

VOICEOVER: “As Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney showed how much you can accomplish when you work with the other party. Working with a legislature that was eighty-five percent Democrats, Mitt Romney eliminated a three-billion dollar deficit, left the state with a two-billion dollar rainy-day fund, took the unemployment rate below five percent, and added tens of thousands of jobs. And as president, he’ll work with both Republicans and Democrats to cut the deficit that threatens future generations.”